Rajagiri College of Social Sciences's 19th edition of Splendore, an inter-school and collegiate festival themed "Harmony Beyond Horizons," concluded on November 25.

The festival was inaugurated by the college coordinator, Fr Dr Saju MD on November 17, followed by the unveiling of the Splendore 2K23 banner. The key highlight of the event was a striking installation symbolising peace and harmony, crafted from recycled materials by students. It was the brainchild of Megha Krishna from BBA 2nd year.

The launch of a promotional video, directed by Noel J Roach and scripted by Shabeer Jan, and featuring international student Innocent from Uganda, set the tone for the fest.  The video took viewers on a journey through six Indian states, illustrating the rich cultural diversity of the nation.

The event's first day featured a live musical performance by singer Vijay Yesudas. Film director Chinmayi Nair and actor Sudheer Sukumaran attended the event. Various online contests, including 'Thoolika,' 'Battle of Minds,' 'Reelistic,' and 'Lente Magica', were conducted on November 22nd and 23rd for schoolchildren.

The inter-collegiate competitions kicked off on November 24 by the manager of Rajagiri College of Sciences, Fr Benny Nalkara CMI. A dance choreographed by D4 dance fame Muba Muneer highlighted the spirit of global harmony, focusing on the empowerment of women.

Over 60 educational institutions participated in different events, including photography, music band contests, quizzes, and fashion shows, competing for a total prize pool of Rs. 2.10 lakhs.

The Valedictory Function on November 25th, presided over by chief guest Rev Fr Mathew Koikara, CMI, saw the distribution of prizes to the winners. SCMS College, Muttom, emerged as the overall champions in a fiercely contested event, with Rajagiri College of Management and Applied Sciences, Kakkanad, claiming the runner-up spot.

The fest's final day was a cultural extravaganza exclusively for Rajagiri students, featuring an array of performances including dance, songs, mime, and band performances. International students showcased their cultural heritage through dance, contributing to the fest's theme of harmony beyond horizons. The event concluded with a DJ session led by DJ SHA.

The fest, through its varied and vibrant events, not only showcased the cultural and intellectual talents of students but also promoted the message of harmony and unity in diversity. Splendore 2k23 stood as a testament to Rajagiri College's commitment to fostering a creative and inclusive environment.

(The author is currently a third-year BSc Psychology student at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences. This article is part of Onmanorama's campus outreach program, Campus Reporter.)